STARKVILLE — Ryan Brown still couldn’t believe it after Mississippi State Assistant Athletic Director of Media Relations Bill Martin gave him the news Monday.
The Bulldogs’ senior defensive lineman was shocked when he learned he had been named Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against Troy. He woke up Monday morning with several texts and phone calls, but it was still hard for him to believe.
“The first thing I did was praise God,” Brown said. “A lot of people had great games, and it was just favor from God.”
It was the first SEC honor for Brown, who will help lead MSU (4-2) against Louisiana Tech (4-2) at 11 a.m. Saturday (SEC Network) in its Homecoming game at Davis Wade Stadium.
Brown had career highs in tackles (seven) and tackles for loss (three-and-a-half), including one sack and a pass breakup, in the 45-17 victory.
Fellow defensive lineman A.J. Jefferson also had seven tackles and two tackles for loss.
“He told me congratulations,” Brown said. “He was probably the first person to tell me congratulations. We’re roommates, so we kind of give each other that type of edge.”
Brown joins current NFL standouts Benardrick McKinney and Fletcher Cox as the only MSU players in the past five years to collect at least three-and-a-half tackles for loss in a game. He became the sixth Bulldog in school history to earn the honor. The past three are playing in the NFL. Pernell McPhee did it twice in 2009, Cox did it four times in 2011, and Preston Smith did it three times last season.
MSU’s defense recorded 15 tackles for loss against Troy. It was the most since it had 15 against Alcorn Sate in 2010.
“I think Ryan was the beneficiary of that,” MSU coach Dan Mullen said. “It wasn’t just Ryan putting on a show out there, it was our whole D-line playing at another level. He’s the one that ended up with the best stats out of it because of what they were doing on the day.”
Brown, who has 26 tackles (five-and-a-half tackles for loss), two sacks, two pass breakups, and six quarterback hurries, said every defensive linemen who played Saturday was graded as a champion. The efforts were in responses to challenges MSU coaches issued last week in practice that encouraged the Bulldogs to play with more of an edge.
Brown said carrying that attitude is on him and cornerbacks Taveze Calhoun and Will Redmond, the other two captains on the defense.
“I think it’s going to amp up, especially this week,” Brown said. “We are playing a better team that’s ready to shake up the SEC.”
Every game means a lot to the New Orleans, Louisiana, native, but he has extra motivation this week. The preseason All-SEC selection committed to Louisiana Tech coach Skip Holtz when he was at South Florida.
Louisiana Tech also will have several players from his home state. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that MSU first-year defensive coordinator Manny Diaz worked in the same capacity last season at Louisiana Tech.
“It means a lot,” Brown said. “This is a big game to show we’re here and we will continue to make a statement.”
n In other news, Mullen said junior tight end Gus Walley (hand) should be able to play this week. He has missed the past two games after suffering an injury in practice leading into the Texas A&M game. Senior wide receiver Joe Morrow (shoulder) and sophomore wide receiver Gabe Myles (left foot) are questionable. They missed the game against Troy. Senior offensive lineman Rufus Warren (ankle) was held last week as a precaution, but he is expected to play. … MSU’s Oct. 24 home game against Kentucky was announced as a 6:30 p.m. kickoff on the SEC Network. Alabama’s home matchup with Tennessee and Ole Miss’ home contest with Texas A&M will kick at 2:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. on CBS or ESPN, respectively.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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